Sun Damaged Orchid - Please Help.
 

Hey there.

I took my orchid out in the sun one day, it is (or was) a pretty decent size. Later that day i realized what a dumb idea that was. I think i basically blanched the leaves. They turned light yellow and the top of the spike shriveled and turned to wood basically. I cut the leaves and the spike off. They were completely dead. The base of the plant is still green but turning to light brown. I was wondering if there's anything i can do to help revive my plant. I think it's a Paphiopedilum... the roots should still be pretty healthy.

Sincerely,

Matt

Hello,
Im not an expert on burn, but I have burned several of my plants out of love- it happens.
Plants burn when the plant isnt acclimated to the strength of sun- like gradually move it from darker to lighter conditions which the plants culture can handle.
Anyhow, it doesnt sound good if you've torched the entire plant, was there anything spared? If the plant was overly stressed out it will drop most of its leaves and it might die, you will have to baby it now, keep it in much lower light conditions, high humidity and watch for any bacterial/fungus attacks....

Im sure other more experienced members may provide you with more insightful information.
Good luck!:goodluck:

--you said you had a paph, if the roots are healthy and the plant isnt overwhelmed it might release a new fan!

Paphs don't do full sun very well. Neither do Phals. Not sure which you have but a picture could help determine the outcome for your plant. If it's a Paph. check the base for a new growth. Paphs. are not monopedial like Phals. They have a small rhizome that connects the growths together. Some folks the growths fans. If you have toasted only one growth it may kick out a new one to save itself. If it's a Phal. all you can do is wait and see if the whole plant is going to croak. If the roots are good it may send up a basal Keiki. Don't throw it out even if it looks completely dead.

Thank You!
 

Thank you cookie monster!

Thank you Terri!

I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. I have it back in my room now and have been watering it. I will keep it around and see what happens.

Thanks so much!;) :)

Even sun lovers shouldn't be introduced to full sun that quickly. I moved a rupiculous Laelia out to full sun quickly because they take blistering full sun at very southern latitudes in Mexico. It did well. I moved some Brassavolas to nearly full sun (they will take full sun as well if slowly acclimated over many weeks) and the leaves turned purple within two days. They are now back to light green tinged in purple. Paphs and Phals won't adjust to full sun no matter how long you take to do it. Dappled bright light is about it. You can do dappled sun if the sun is coming through a screen-covered window (2500-3000 foot-candles) but be really careful of that.

as have already been written, wait and see :) it might not be done...

now maybe a beginners question.. but in cases like this.. will an orchid "throw" its leafs in order to protect its self?

Hi Matt,

Sorry to hear about your slipper. I would keep it for awhile, their pretty tough orchids. You may just have another fan come up within a week or 2.
Hold off on the toss. Best of luck :D